Automatic valve-closing mechanism.



No. 654,770. Patented July 3|, I900. E. F. VAN VECHTEN. AUTOMATIC VALVECLOSING MECHANISM.

(Application filed June 12, msal' 2 Sheets-Sheet (No. Model.)

'40.. 654,770. Patented m 3|, I900.

r E. F. VAN VECHTEN. AUTOMATIC VALVE CLOSING MECHANISM. (Applicationfiled June 12, 1899.) (No Model.)

2 Sheets-8heet 2 Attorneymus PETER: cu, moraumoq WASNINGTON, n c

UNITED STATES PATENT Or fice.

EDWIN F. VAN ,vnon'rnn, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

AUTOMATIC VALVE-CLOSING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 654,770, dated July 31,1900.

Application filed June 1 Z, 1 89 9.

ro vide a device by which a valve when opened by the manual act of theuser will remain in such open position until the desired quantity ofwater has passed through it, when it will then be automatically closed;second, to pro- [5 vide a device by which the quantity of water used maybe regulated, and, third, to provide means for adjusting the valveactuating mechanism as may be required by the va rious pressures ofdifferent water-mains.

My invention is further explained by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which J I Figure 1 represents a vertical section thereof,and Fig. 2 is a side view having parts broken away to show the interiorconstruction. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view illustrating a form ofconstruction in which the valve-actuating shaft is located on the eX-'haust or discharge side of the valve.

Like parts are identified by the same reference-letters in all theviews.

A represents the water-controlling valve, which is suspended above itsseat B from the actuating-shaft C.

D is the operating-lever, which is rigidly affixed to the protruding endof the shaft. The valve A is loosely fitted to the shaft 0 in such amanner that it may when closed be brought more readily to its seat.Motion is 40 communicated from the actuating-lever D to the valve A whendesirous to open the same through the shaft 0 and stop E. The stop E isrigidly affixed at one end to the shaft 0,"

and its protruding end passes up through a 4 5 small recess F of thevalve-sleeve G, whereby as said lever D is moved the stop E is broughtto bear against one side of the slot F, thereby carrying the valve Awithit. When the valve A has been thrown to the open position shown in Fig.1 bythe action of the lever-D, it is retained in such open position bythe counterpoise H, which by the opening of said valve is thrown to oneside of the vertical. It will be understood, as stated, that the valveSerial No. 720,199 (No model.)

A is opened by the manual act of the user, when the water, which entersthe duct I,will

pass freely through the valve-chamber J and.

out through the duct K until said valve is closed. To the side of thevalve-chamber J is connected a diaphragm-chamber L, provided with aflexible diaphragm M, which diaphragm is clamped at its peripherybetween the contiguous walls N and O of said chamber. Through the centerof the dia phragm M is secured a tubular connection P by theclamping-nuts Q and R. The tubular connection P is provided with a sideduct S, through which the water enters and escapes fromsaiddiaphragm-chamber as said dia-- phragm is raised and lowered. Itwill now be obvious that when the valve A is closed water will pass upthrough the tubular'connection P and out through the duct S into thediaphragm cham ber L beneath the diaphragm M,

whereby said diaphragm will be raised to the position shown in Fig. 1and the spiral spring T will be compressed and said diaphragm and springwill remain in such position until relieved of the water-pressure byopening said valve A. When the valve A has been opened by the operator,as previously described, and

' the water permitted to pass freely through the exhaust-duct K, thepressure in the chamber L will be so diminished that said diaphragm Mwill be forced downward by the recoil of the spiral spring T above it,whereby said tubular connection P, which is secured to saiddiaphragm,willbe brought to bear against the arm U of the valve and saidvalve will be forced downward and said counterpoise H be carried to andpast the vertical, when said valve will be broughtto its seat by thejoint action of the water-pressure and the gravity of said counterpoise.The quantity of water which shall pass through the valvechamber beforethe valve is closed depends upon the time required for the water toescape from the diaphragm chamber L, and the ,escape of water from thediaphragm-chamber is regulated by the adjustment of the roguelating-screw V in its relation to the side passage S It will thereforebe obvious that by turning down said screw V the side pas sage S ispartially closed and the escape of water from the diaphragm-chamberL'isretarded and also that by the reverse movement of the valve-screwsaid passage S is opened and the action of said diaphragm acc saidvalve-chamber and the quantity of water which shall escape are governedby the relative position of the valve-screw V- to the passage S. 7

The diaphragm M may be actuated with a uniform movement regardless ofthe variations of pressure of different water-supply mains by theadjustment of the tension- I screw W. When used in connection with ahigh pressure, the tension-screwW may beturned down against theactuating-spring-Trbut when used with a low pressure said tension-screw'may be turned upward and the valve thus adjusted to act uniformly. 1While I have shown and would preferably use a counterpoise H for holdingthe-valve, inits open position, it isobvious that the valveshaft Ojmay,if desired, be so closely packed that-the valve will remain open untilclosed by the action of the diaphragm and said counterpoise therebydispensed with. It is also obvious that the position of said valvemaybeso changed in relation to its pivotal shaft that it will be retainedin the open position by its own gravity, in which case the counter-poiseH might be dispensed with.

While I have for convenience of constructionformed a water-duct, whichleads to the diaphragm-chamber, through the tubular connectien, it may,if desired, be located else- Where outside of said tubular connectionand the passage of water controlled in-any convenient manner. shaft 0may, if desired, be located on the exhaust side of the valve A, in whichcase any suitable means may be employed to connect said shaft and valveand to operate the Same! In Fig. 3 I have illustrated thevalve-actuating shaft 0 as located in the discharge.- duct, the valvebeing supported by a pivotpin 0. Motion is communicated from the shaftCto open the valve by means of an arm X and connecting rod or link X. Itis also obvious that a cylinder and piston may,if desired, besubstituted for a diaphragmchamber for actuating the valve.

Having thus described my invention, what I'cla'i-m as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- p 1;. 'A valve-chamber provided withinlet and exhaust ducts; a valve; means for openingthe same; a movablepart adapted to be actuated against a counter-pressure, independenu ofthe valve, when the latter is closed; means for applying suchcounterpressure to the movable part; means for communicating motion fromsaid movable part to actuate the valve when the latter is open; andmeans for controlling the motion of the movable part in one direction.

2 valve-chamber provided with inlet and exhaust ducts; a valve; meansfor opening the same; a movable part adapted to be- It is obvious thatthe" actuated in one direction independently of the valve, and tocommunicate motion to the latter when actuated in the oppositedirection; means for'actuating said movable part; a'ndmeans forcontrollingthe motion thereof.

3. A valve-chamber provided 'with inlet and outlet ducts; a valve; meansfor openingthesame; a movablepart adapted to be actuated against acounter-pressure by means of the pressure of the supply fluid; means forapplying such counter-pressure -to the movable part; and means forcommunicating the motion of said movable part when relieved of thepressure of the supply'fluid, to

actuate the valve toward its seat;

4.1 A valve-chamber provided with 'inlet and outlet ducts; a'valve;means for opening said valve; a movable part adapted tobe actuatedagainst a counter-pressure by the pressure of the supply fluid; meansfor ap-- plying such counter-pressure to the movable part; meansforcommunicating the motion.

of the movable part to actuate the valve in one direction; and means forregulating the motion of the movable part; 5. A- valve-chamber providedwith inlet and outlet ducts; a valve; means for opening the same;a-movable part adapted to be actuated against a counter-pressurejby'thepressure of the supply fluid; a device for applying suchcounter-pressure; means for adjusting the same;- means for communicatingmotion of the movable part to actuate the valve in one direction; andmeans for regulating the motion of the movable part.

6. A valve-chamber provided with inlet and exhaust ducts; a valve; adiaphragmchamber communicating with the valve-chamber through acontracted passage; a diaphragm located in said chamber and adapted tobeactuated by the fluid-supply entering the valve-chamber through saidpassage; .mechanism, independent of the diaphragm, for opening thevalve; and means for communicating motion from said diaphragm to actuatethe valve in one direction.

7. In a self-closing valve mechanism, the

IIO

combination of a valve-chamber having inlet and exhaust ducts; a valve,means for opening the same; a diaphragm-chamberin cornmunication withthe fiuid-supplythrough a contracted opening; a diaphragm adapted to beactuated ,in one direction by liquid entering the diaphragm chamberthrough said opening; a spring adapted to exert a counterpressure uponsaid diaphragm andto-actuate the same when the pressure ofjthe supplyfluid is relieved; and connections adapted to communicate the motion ofthe diaphragm to actuate'the valve toward its seat when thepressure ,ofthe supply fluid is relieved.

8. In a self-closing valve -mechanism, the combination of avalve-chamber having inlet and exhaust ducts; a valve; means forgopeningthe same; a diaphragm-chamber in communication with the fluid-supplythrough a contracted opening; a diaphragm adapted to be actuated in onedirection by liquidentering the diaphragm chamber through said opening;a spring adapted to exert a counterpressure upon said diaphragm andto'actuate the same when the pressure of the supply fluid is relieved;means for regulating the tension of said spring; and connections adaptedto communicate the motion of the diaphragm to actuate the valve towardits seat when the pressure of the supply fluid is relieved.

9. In an automatic valve-closing mechanism, the combination of avalve-chamber havin g an inlet and an exhaust duct; a valve closing theexhaust-duct; a valve-shaft; a valveactuating lever secured to theprojecting end of said valve-shaft; a diaphragm-chamber; a diaphragmlocated in said chamber; a water duct or passage communicating from saidvalve-chamber to said diaphragm-chamber; and a connection between saiddiaphragm and said valve.

10. In an automatic valve-closing mechanism, the combination of avalve-chamber having an inlet and an exhaust duct; a valve closing theexhaust-duct; a valve supporting shaft protruding through the wall ofsaid valve-chamber; a valve-actuating lever secured to the protrudingend of said shaft; a diaphragm-chamber; a diaphragm located in saidchamber; and a tubular connection between said diaphragm and said valve,forming a duct through which the water passes from said valve-chamber toand from said diaphragm-chamber.

11. In an automatic valve-closing mechanism, the combination of avalve-chamber having an inlet and an exhaust duct; a valve closing theexhaust duct; a valve supporting shaft protruding through the wall ofsaid valve-chamber; a valve-actuating lever secured to the protrudingend of said shaft; a

diaphragm-chamber; a diaphragm located in said chamber; a tubularconnection communicating between said diaphragm and said valve, forminga duct through which the water passes from said valve-chamber to andfrom said diaphragm-chamber; and a regulating-screw located in saidtubular connection and adapted to be adjusted so as to regulate thepassage of water through the duct of said tubular connection.

12. In an automatic valve-closing mechanism, the combination of avalve-chamber having an inlet and an exhaust duct; a valve closing theexhaust-duct; avalve-supporting shaft protruding through the wall ofsaid valve-chamber; a valve-actuating lever secured to the protrudingend of said shaft; a diaphragm-chamber; a diaphragm located in saidchamber; a tubular connection communicating between said diaphragm andsaid valve, forming a duct through which the water passes from saidvalve-chamber to and from said diaphragm-chamber; aregulatingscrewlocated in said tubular connection and adapted to be adjusted so as toregulate the passage of water through the duct of said tu= bularconnection; and a spring interposed between said diaphragm and theexterior walls of said diaphragm-chamber.

13. In an automatic valve-closing mechanism, the combination of avalve-chamber having an inlet and an exhaust duct; a valve closing theexhaust-duct; avalve-supporting shaft protruding through the wall ofsaid valve-chamber; a valve-actuating lever; a diaphragm-chamber; adiaphragm located in said chamber; a tubular connection communicatingbetween said diaphragm and said valve, forming aduct through which thewater passes from said valve-chamber to and from said diaphragm-chamber;aregnlatingscrew located in said tubular connection and adapted to beadjusted so as to regulate the passage of water through the duct of saidtu-' bular connection; a spring interposed between said diaphragm andthe exterior walls of said diaphragm-chamber; and a tensionscrewsupported from the walls of said dia= phragm-chamber and adapted to bearagainst said tension-spring, whereby the tension of said spring isadjusted.

14. In an automatic valve-closing mechan ism, the combination ofavalvechamber having an inlet and an exhaust duct; a valve closing theexhaust-duct; avalve-supporting shaft protruding through the wall ofsaid valve-chamber; a valve-actuating lever and a counterpoise securedto the protruding end of said valve-shaft, said counterpoise beingadapted to counterbalance the weight of said valve when open and preventit from closing of its own gravity; a diaphragmchamber; a diaphragmlocated in said cham her; a tubular connection communicating betweensaid diaphragm and said valve, forming a duct through which the waterpasses from said valve-chamber to and from said diaphragm-chamber; aregulating screw located in said tubular connection and adapted to beadjusted so as to regulate the passage of the water through the duct ofsaid tubular connection; a spring interposed between said diaphragm andthe exterior walls of said diaphragm-chamber; and a tension screwsupported from the walls of said diaphragm-chamber and adapted to bearagainst said tension-spring, whereby the tension of said spring isadjusted.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

EDWIN F. VAN VEOHTEN.

Witnesses:

F. A. OTTO, LEVERETT 0. WHEELER.

